Cantharis livida

Description

11-14mm. All yellow/orange but with a broad black band at the base of the hind femora. The black head spot behind the eyes is unique to this species. Cantharis livida also has a darker form (var. rufipes).

Identification difficulty
ID guidance

Your specimen should have these features:

  • 11-14mm.
  • a black spot on the head behind the eyes (may be small)
  • broad black band at base of hind femora
  • all red front legs
  • typically with black marks on the underside of the abdomen
Habitat

Areas of long grass, including wasteland, parkland and open woodland.

When to see it

From May to August, but June and July are peak months.

Life History

This is a carnivorous beetle, the adult hunts other insects, often waiting on flowers for potential prey to arrive. The larvae hunt snails and worms.

UK Status

The species is widespread in England though never common.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent but not common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Cantharidae
Records on NatureSpot:
42
First record:
23/05/2009 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
04/06/2023 (McKeating, Ron)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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